Kenya and Tanzania Safari

Nairobi

Day 1 Nairobi Welcome to Nairobi, a city experiencing a Renaissance in art and culture. You will be met by Africa Untamed Wilderness Adventures (AUWA) representative and transferred to Nairobi Serena Hotel for overnight. Shaded by Jacaranda, bougainvillea and acacia trees, the hotel is a haven located just on the outskirts of the Central Business District. The tranquil setting belies its location – just moments from most city attractions, including art and cultural institutions, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, with elegantly designed 183 air-conditioned en suite rooms.

Day 3  Ol Pejeta Sanctuary After breakfast, Morning drive Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp. Afternoon game drive in the secluded heart of Ol Pejeta Ranch and Rhino Reserve. Here at the reserve these magnificent beasts are given sanctuary from those who would take their lives in order to sell their horns. And here too, the Jane Goodall Institute runs the Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where you will truly enjoy meeting the primates face-to-face. The reserve provides a fascinating opportunity to study and learn about the rhinos, and to experience them up close. Ol Pejeta Ranch overlooks one of the busiest waterholes in the area...elephant, giraffe, waterbuck, gazelle and the big cats all come here to drink. It is fascinating to see the variety of plains game that risk receiving too much notice from a predator in order to enjoy the bounty of the waters!

Masai Mara

Day 6  Maasai Mara Game Reserve Morning transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara where you are going to spend three nights, giving you the luxury of time to appreciate the region’s rich wildlife by game drive or even hot air balloon. Zebra, wildebeest, topi and hippos are common, as are leopards, lions and cheetahs. Immerse yourselve in the Maasai culture by visiting villages and schools, witnessing rituals and activities that have survived innumerable generations. Game drives are colored with bush lore courtesy of your expert driver guides, who also explain the dynamics of the wild and the importance of conservation. Young travellers can enjoy a Bush Treasure Hunt, while teens check out the Swahili pop music disco. Meanwhile, adults will appreciate Bush Sundowners—a civilised cocktail party staged in the untamed wilds of Africa—and a gourmet dinner. Kids, on the other hand, will feast on their favorites from home. The Karen Blixen or Mara Intrepid tented camps are both delightful.

Arusha | Nairobi | Serengeti

Day 9 Serengeti National Park This morning you fly to the Serengeti via Nairobi and Arusha. The planet’s most amazing wildlife is on display here and the daily drama of this famous savannah will enrapture even the most stoic (translate: teenage) observer. Its landscapes evoke storybook Africa—wide and wild, a golden wonderland. This is the safari that you’ve read about, yet it is better than you’ve ever imagined. The Mbalageti Lodge is ideal for adventure and relaxation alike—rock-hewn pool, luxurious rooms, a deck with a jaw-dropping 360 degree view of the Serengeti. If traveling with children, then they will not only learn how to shoot an arrow, but how to make their own bow. If you aren’t feeling adventurous, bring the clan inside for some board games—the wilderness will be there when you’re ready.

Ngorongoro Crater

Day 11 Ngorongoro Crater Make a stop in the Great Rift Valley, the noted “Cradle of Mankind” where the Leakey family discovered human fossils which date back almost two million years, before continuing to Ngorongoro Crater. This massive caldera, at over twelve miles across and 2,000 feet deep, is worthy of its unofficial “Eighth Wonder of the Natural World” mantle. In addition to its jaw-dropping physical beauty, the Crater is also replete with wildlife. Overnight stay at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, an architectural marvel on the crater’s rim.